Senate plans hearings on Pawtucket stadium
PAWTUCKET – The Senate Finance Committee will hold a series of six hearings, including one at William E. Tolman High School on Sept. 26 – to solicit public input on the latest proposal for a new Pawtucket Red Sox stadium
Senate Finance Committee Chairman William J. Conley, Jr., sponsor of new legislation that would provide public support for public financing of the new stadium, said the hearings will kick off Sept.14 at the State House, followed by five more hearings at various locations throughout the state.
Conley (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) says the hearings will provide a comprehensive review of all aspects of the legislation and give all Rhode Islanders the opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposal.
“We want to ensure that the voice of the people is heard, and we welcome broad participation from our constituents in these discussions,” he said. “The Senate remains committed to the most open, transparent, and deliberative process possible. The Senate Committee on Finance will thoroughly scrutinize all aspects of the legislation during intensive public hearings, and we will receive testimony from anyone wishing to register a position or provide input.”
In addition, the Senate has created a website (www.PawSoxHearings.com) as a public repository for pertinent documents on the stadium proposal. Video of all hearings will be uploaded to the site and anyone wishing to submit comments to the committee can do so through the website.
The legislation was submitted in June by the Senate’s Pawtucket delegation, which also included including Senators Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence), Elizabeth A. Crowley (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) and James E. Doyle, II (D- Dist. 8, Pawtucket).
The new bill maintains the same financing split as the original plan. State taxpayers would contribute $23 million to a new publicly-owned ballpark in downtown Pawtucket, to be paid back with tax revenue from the stadium and a surcharge on ticket sales. The city of Pawtucket would contribute $15 million, and the PawSox would pay $45 million, with $33 million of the team’s portion paid through a 30-year lease agreement. The hearings will be held as follows: Thursday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Rhode Island State House, Room 313. The committee will outline the hearing process, receive an overview of the proposal, and take public testimony.
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. in the William E. Tolman High School auditorium, 150 Exchange St., Pawtucket. The committee will review potential ancillary development and Pawtucket’s risk and take public testimony.
Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. in the University of Rhode Island Swan Hall Auditorium, 60 Upper College Road, Kingston. The committee will examine the economic model and review state level risk analysis, and take public testimony.
Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. in the New England Institute of Technology Media Presentation Theatre, 1 New England Tech Boulevard, East Greenwich. The committee will conduct general inquiry into previous testimony and presentations, and take public testimony.
Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at Roger Williams University School of Law, Room 283, 10 Metacom Avenue, Bristol. The committee will continue its inquiry and take public testimony.
Thursday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. at Bryant University’s Bello Center Grand Hall, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield. The committee will continue its inquiry and take public testimony. Follow Joseph Fitzgerald on Twitter @jofitz7